Katie Schulz of Dundas is one of eight Canadian moms who have been chosen as a finalist for Walmart Canada’s Mom of the Year Award.

Schulz’s nomination, submitted by her husband, Jason, was selected from 16,909 entries that flooded in from across the country.
Schulz is dedicated to making her daughter’s life a long and happy one.

In 2009, she gave birth to Sophia, who was diagnosed with the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians — cystic fibrosis.

Schulz has since dedicated herself to both her daughter’s care and to the fight against the disease, providing Sophia with two hours of chest physiotherapy daily and teaching her to take over 20 digestion pills.

Schulz was elected president of the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada and her tireless efforts have also helped to make the area’s Great Strides fundraising walk one of the most successful in Canada.

In her spare time, Schulz has written a children’s book about her daughter and cystic fibrosis, which is now available at libraries across Ontario.

Though being a mom is a labour of love, it also carries the weight of the most important position on the planet.

The Walmart Mom of the Year Award, an annual initiative that launched around Mother’s Day 2012, is Walmart Canada’s way of celebrating some of the country’s most deserving moms. As a thank you for all moms do, the eight finalists will be flown to Toronto for a weekend celebration with their families, including pampering, a photo shoot and an awards gala on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Each one will receive $10,000 to spend on themselves, and seven will receive an additional $10,000 for their chosen charity or cause.

The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $100,000 for her chosen charity or cause, a donation Schulz is hoping to make to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.